The State of Wisconsin Department of Administration and
the University of Wisconsin System embrace high-performance green building
standards and energy conservation for state facilities and operations. 2005
Wisconsin Act 141 requires each agency to develop energy cost reduction plans.
Plans must include all system and equipment upgrades that will pay for
themselves in energy cost reductions over their useful life. The energy savings
performance contracting program provides a process for UW System to effect energy
cost reductions in existing buildings and utility systems.
UW-Stevens Point has been working with McKinstry, LLC, an
Energy Service Company (ESCO), through the State of Wisconsin Energy Savings
Performance Contract program. McKinstry was selected through a competitive bid
selection process in 2012. A comprehensive investment grade energy audit was
done for 19 buildings on campus to determine projects that would qualify for
the program. A final report was co-authored with UW-Stevens Point Facility
Services, which went to technical review at the Division of Facilities
Development. The Multi-Building Energy Conservation project that was approved
by the Building Commission in October 2015 will assist UW-Stevens Point in
complying with energy reduction goals.
The total first cost of the
project is estimated at $8.9 million after estimated financial incentives are
applied (i.e. Focus on Energy). The implementation of the energy conservation
measures (ECMs) will result in an anticipated annual energy cost savings of
approximately $607,000 with a simple payback of 14.7 to 15.2 years, depending
on actual incentives received. This is below the state energy fund simple
payback requirement of 16 years or 20-year payback with repayment at a 5.25%
bond rate and a 3% inflation rate.
Annual estimated dollar
savings:
Electricity: $397,561
Steam costs $188,142
Water costs over $21,102
Annual energy savings
will be found in reduced electricity consumption, steam production and water
savings. The project will reduce the campus’ greenhouse gas emissions as well.
Annual projected energy
savings:
Electricity reduction of 4,229,377 kWh
Steam reduction of 22,833 MMBtu
Carbon emissions reduction of 10,382,596 lbs.
Investment Grade Audit: McKinstry
engineers and development team analyzed the existing conditions of buildings on
campus, collecting energy use data and building systems information. The
audit process helps our team develop energy saving solutions best suited for
each building and the campus.
Based on the audit
the following Energy Conservation Measures (ECMs) will be implemented:
Interior Lighting Upgrade: Improve energy
efficiency and lighting levels by replacing existing older, higher energy use
lighting (T8, T12, HID, Compact Fluorescent and ballasts) systems with more
energy efficient lighting in several buildings on campus. New LED
lighting and ballasts will be installed in several buildings.
Exterior Lighting Upgrade: Improve energy
efficiency and lighting levels of exterior pole, walkway, exterior wall, flood
and parking lot light fixtures with new, higher efficiency LED fixtures.
Controls & Mechanical Upgrade: Install new
direct digital controls (DDC) on existing pneumatically controlled equipment
and integrate into the Energy Management System to optimize the heating,
ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems to provide a substantial
reduction in energy consumption.
Water Conservation: Upgrade the existing
flush valves (rebuilding or replacement) including the install of dual flush handles
on toilets. Sink faucet aerators will have updated flow control
devices installed to reduce flow. These measures will reduce the amount
of waste water production as well.
Steam Traps Upgrade: Replace failed or
nonfunctioning steam traps that are allowing steam bypass. This will help
improve the efficiency of the steam plant by replacing failed or leaking traps
to ensure complete condensation at each heat transfer device is achieved.
Building Envelope Improvements: Improve
building envelope performance and reduce energy consumption by reducing
exterior air infiltration into the conditioned spaces of buildings. This
is achieved by installing new exterior door seals, window caulking, air
conditioner covers, and using spray foam to fill gaps in the building envelope.
Dashboard
& Metering: Installing Operator and
Green Kiosk Dashboard hosted services to remotely monitor the energy use of
several buildings on campus. The Operator dashboard format will be
available to Facilities staff for energy analysis. The Green Kiosk format
will allow physical interactive kiosks to be added at a later date with only
the addition of hardware by the University.
Links to Resources:
Information Memorandum on 2005 Wisconsin Act 141:
Department of Administration Sustainability:
Final presentation document from McKinstry, presented to campus December 11, 2014